Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Ni Hao China!

Hi Everyone!

So I've now been in China 3 days....first time connected to the world and it feels great! The flight was great we flew over the north pole..so could look out at the ice flows and stuff....got 5 hours sleep so I can't complain. Beijing is pretty stinky although I think i'm now used to it......

The first day Helen and I went to the Summer Place where the Emperors and Empresses hung out in ...you guessed it summer. Quite amazing...this GIANT man made lake. It's very cute.....european people are pretty rare here, so chinese people will point at us and get there kids to say "hello"....very cute! The women here are hilarious, dressed up to the nines with heels and everything...whilst trekking up and down hills and for miles at a time. I'll have to explain the craziness of their foot stocking fetish and the use of parisoles..... After the Summer Place we headed to the Hutongs, basically local traditional housing networks....where we hitched a ride on a rickshaw and then had a beer on a rooftop. Is quite surreal sometimes being in foreign lands chilling out!

Must say....language is a struggle...not many speak english at all. Helen and I were in a taxi the other day and we couldn't get him to stop! It's quite hilarious thinking about it....we were yelling he was yelling....we worked it out in the end and then had to walk half a km back to where we wanted to be.

Yesterday we went to the Great Wall....very cool....killer hike up there but got to luge down from the top! After that we hit the markets where helen picked up a 70L pack for lik US$10! She's a definate hard arse in the bargining department!

Today the tour hit Tianimen Square (forgive the spelling) and the Forbidden City.......quite spectacular! You'll see photo's later I'm sure.

Tonight is the first of our night train and tomorrow we drive 6 hours to the terracotta warriors......things are not all fun!

Also! Have heard that sometimes....we'll have to share toilets no walls and no sense of space woman are lined up to use the toilet and there are no DOORS....this is NOT good...problem is that at altitude you have to drink a lot not to get sick.....YUXCK YUCK YCUK....more to come

hope you're all well....talk soon

6 comments:

Unknown said...

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dakota said...

Hi Kim
You look as if you are having a fantastic time. How are the PINK boots.
I have my flight booked and paid, 15th Nov and arrive in New York on the 15th as well.
I sent a comment to you, got messed up, so not sure if you received it.
Trust your mother to mess up.

Lily said...

Hey babes, hope you took my advice to get lots of wipes for the trip! Maybe get a small spritzer of spray for stinky toilets?

Anonymous said...

Hey Kim - sounds fabulous - except for the toilet part...very jealous

Anonymous said...

hey - what a crack-up re your taxi story! Am looking fwd to seeing these photos you speak of ;)

Anonymous said...

Hey Kimbo, China sounds like fun. I'll take your advice and keep an eye on Ritchie this weekend when I watch the match. Last weekend he hurt his hip, but don't worry I think your QT is still ok. Did I tell you I met him once at Edinburgh airport, he was there with Tana and Dan. Carol got a photo with Dan to make her sister jealous, but afterward we decided that in fact Ritchie is much better looking, Dan is just too short. Anyway, enough name dropping, enjoy your trip in China.